#PepsiNationals Day One Standouts

The final showing for most players across the country regarding the 2022 grassroots basketball season is coming to an end, and teams across the country have come together in Hernanado, MS, for the Pepsi National Basketball Championships. On day one, some impressive talent took the floor, and one game, if it is a precursor to those to come, has set the stage for a huge and exciting weekend. The Memphis Bulldogs ’26 escaped with a 37-33 OT win against Elite Eagles ’26 in a thriller. Here are some of the standouts from that game.

Axton Perry (6’1/F/’26)

Team: Memphis Bulldogs (Terry) ’26

Instagram: 901.axton

Twitter: @901_axton

Axton provided early offense for his squad and helped the Bulldogs get out to an early lead. He was a force in the paint as his length and activity took a minute for Eagles Elite to adjust to, even though they had a frontline with matching height and length. Axton did all the dirty work and secured the paint, making it hard for the Eagles to find production in the paint. The Bulldogs can lean on Axton to produce in the paint as well as off the bounce when he catches the ball in the 15-17ft area; however, he does not have the build to play with his back to the basket. He maneuvers well in the paint, and as a result, his movement often leads him to spots on the floor where he is the recipient of easy dump-off passes leading to high percentage scoring opportunities. He was active on the boards and was a shot-blocking threat on D, which helped him to impact the game on both ends of the floor. As he gets ready to step into high school, he must continue to expand his game out of the paint and develop his perimeter skills.

Axton did all the dirty work and secured the paint, making it hard for the Eagles to find production in the paint.

Terry J. Drake

Monterrio Cox, Jr. (5’2/PG/’26)

Team: Memphis Bulldogs (Terry) ’26

Instagram: hoodie_tjay1

Twitter: @JrMonterrio

Monterrio played a remarkable game on day one. He was in complete control of the Bulldogs’ offense, and at times he was the best player on the court. He is not the fastest with the ball in his hands, but he has a good IQ and knows how to knife thru defenses and create off the bounce. He is a good ball-handler in P&R situations and makes good decisions with the ball coming off the screen. He rocked many defenders into a state of a lull as he danced with the rock setting up his next move to get by his defender. He does not have great size; as you see, he stands 5’2, but his value is in his ability to be the floor general on the court and be the set-up man at the point spot. In case you haven’t heard the terminology set-up man, it simply means that Monetrrio sets up his teammates and puts them in places to be effective. Despite his size, he gets after it on the defensive end and is very active with his on-ball pressure, and his hands are quick and always active. He did not shoot the ball well from behind the arc, which will be critical as he continues his basketball journey. He has to continue working on his ability to create space off the bounce with his dribble and create space for his shot.  

He rocked many defenders into a state of a lull as he danced with the rock setting up his next move to get by his defender.

Terry J. Drake

Kendall Sims (5’10/CG/’26)

Team: Memphis Bulldogs (Terry) ’26

Instagram: iam_kendall2026

Twitter: N/A

Kendall went about the game in a very professional manner on day one. He was calm and extremely poised with the ball in his hand. He did not try to force any action, and he stayed within the context of what the Bulldogs were trying to do offensively. He did it all as he facilitated the offense, provided scoring, put pressure on the defense off the bounce which led to freeing up shooters, defended well, was active on the glass, got to the line, and even got a steal with under 20-seconds to play that led to a lay-up that sealed the game for his team. What was impressive about the steal was his ability to bounce back after turning the ball over just 5-seconds earlier. Had he dropped his head and got in his feelings, he would have never been engaged to make perhaps the biggest play of the game. He is a player that any coach would love to go to war with.

He did not try to force any action, and he stayed within the context of what the Bulldogs were trying to do offensively.

Terry J. Drake

Tyrus Davis (6’2/F/’26)

Team: Elite Eagles ’26

Instagram: girldetsty

Twitter: @Iam_Ty5

Tyrus has an intriguing game and could really develop into an exciting prospect to keep tabs on over the next few years. On day one, he showed his ability to defend the one to the five. He moved his feet well out on the perimeter, and he was physical when having to defend in the paint. He has a nice frame and build to be entering his freshman year of high school, which is going to help with his development as he puts in work in the weight room. Offensively, he showed his ability to knock down the mid-range, finish well at the rim, and keep possessions alive for his team off the glass. He has to get more explosive off the floor and get faster with his gather step after receiving drop-off passes. There is still a lot that he has to work on to polish up his game, but if he can stay in the lab, the potential that is there can be realized.  

On day one, he showed his ability to defend the one to the five.

Terry J. Drake

Deaundre Bailey (5’8/PG/’26)

Team: Elite Eagles ’26

Instagram: iam.dre4

Twitter: @DeaundreBailey

Deaundre is the epitome of a pass-first point guard, and he excelled in his role. He was creating off the bounce all night for his teammates and even took advantage of scoring opportunities when they became available. When it comes to being simply a true floor general that orchestrates the offense and is the coach on the floor, Deaundre embodies all of it. No guard on the court matched his creative depth when it came to facilitating. He has the handles, the quick first step, and the burst to get anywhere on the court he desires, which leads to him making some crafty and flashy passes to his teammates. He is a strong PG that is not easily affected by contact when he is handling the rock as he plays with a low center of gravity or, as I often say, he lives low. Scoring is not his first priority, but he did show his ability to knock down the trey ball, and he showed skill and touch to score when he gets beneath the arc. He just might be the best facilitating PG here at #PepsiNationals.     

No guard on the court matched his creative depth when it came to facilitating.

Terry J. Drake

Reece Garrison (6’1/PG/’26)

Team: Elite Eagles ’26

Instagram: _reecegarrison

Twitter: @imreecegarrison

Reese is listed as a PG but is still developing when it comes to running the offense from the lead guard spot, as he was most effective when being a downhill attacking guard looking to score at the cup. With his scoring ability and what he showed on day one, he would be a score-first PG that can get it done from all levels. Reece was at his best when he was grabbing the defensive board, starting the break, and putting pressure on the rim, not allowing the Bulldogs to get back and set up their defense. His aggressive nature with the ball in his hands was tough for the smaller Bulldog defenders. Reece adds value to his squad the moment the ball touches his hands as he is a multi-faceted player that can hurt opposing teams in so many ways, as his opponent found out on day one. He had an aggressive mindset on both ends of the floor, but the good thing about his game is that he was aggressive without being out of control.  

With his scoring ability and what he showed on day one, he would be a score-first PG that can get it done from all levels.

Terry J. Drake